Project status

This proposal is being developed by a group of interested local people. The project is at an early development stage, with the group’s formal governance and operating arrangements yet to be confirmed. Our aim is to restore Golspie’s existing tennis courts and create an accessible, affordable and sustainable facility for local schools and the wider community.

1. What do you want to do?

We want to restore Golspie’s existing tennis courts, which have been unmaintained and unused for a considerable period. The surface is heavily affected by moss and deterioration, making the courts unusable.

Our immediate priorities are to:

• Assess and restore the courts, including necessary cleaning, repairs and resurfacing.
• Repair or replace essential equipment, fencing, nets and gates as required.
• Introduce a simple online booking system so users can view availability, select a time slot, pay an affordable fee and receive instructions for accessing the courts.
• Make the facility accessible to both local schools and the wider community.

We are also exploring additional court markings for pickleball and junior red and green ball tennis, alongside portable pickleball nets. The final layout will be agreed following consultation with the community, the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and qualified coaches.

Once the courts are operational, we aim to develop shared equipment provision and coaching opportunities for children and adults.

2. Why is your project important for your community?

Golspie’s tennis courts are a valuable existing community asset, but their deteriorating condition means they are currently unusable and becoming an eyesore.

Although Golspie has a nearby Astro facility, it primarily caters for team sports and does not provide tennis or other racket-sport facilities. The nearest alternatives are the Dornoch MUGA and Tain Tennis Club. Within the Golspie Associated School Group (ASG), these are the only existing tennis courts, creating a barrier for people who cannot easily travel elsewhere.

There is clear potential demand. Consultation with Golspie High School has highlighted the courts as an invaluable resource for pupils, and staff believe they would be used regularly if restored and accessible. Funding was previously sought through the LTA for tennis coaching at the school, but sessions have had to be postponed because the courts are unusable. A tennis coach has also expressed willingness to explore delivering sessions in Golspie once the facility is available.

The restored courts would benefit both Golspie Primary School and Golspie High School, as well as children, adults and families across the community. Tennis and pickleball can be played by individuals or in small groups, offering an alternative to team sports. Junior tennis markings would support younger children learning the sport, while pickleball could provide additional recreational and fitness opportunities for older adults.

The project aligns with the Sutherland Area Place Plan, particularly priorities relating to health and wellbeing, community capacity and resilience, and education and young people. It also supports the Golspie Local Place Plan’s vision of a resilient, supportive community where people of all ages can live, work, learn and play. Restoring an existing facility would make better use of local infrastructure and create a sustainable community resource.

3. What positive impact will your project have?

The project will:

• Restore an unusable community asset and improve the appearance of the site.
• Increase access to affordable sport and physical activity locally.
• Provide a valuable resource for both local schools, including opportunities for PE, extracurricular activities and coaching.
• Offer tennis and pickleball opportunities for different ages, abilities and interests.
• Encourage social interaction, healthier lifestyles and community participation.
• Make court access straightforward through an online booking system.
• Create a foundation for future coaching sessions and shared community equipment.

We will monitor the project’s impact through court bookings, school usage, participation levels and feedback from users.

4. What key milestones have you achieved so far, and what will your next steps be?

Progress to date:

• Initial discussions with local community representatives about the future of the courts.
• Consultation with Golspie High School, identifying the courts as a valuable resource for pupils.
• Exploration of LTA-supported coaching opportunities, currently postponed because the courts are unusable.
• Initial research into funding, governance, insurance and potential court layouts.
• Identification of a coach willing to explore delivering sessions in Golspie.

Next steps:

1. Confirm ownership and secure a suitable lease or operating agreement.
2. Finalise the organisation’s governance arrangements.
3. Consult the community, LTA and coaches on the court layout.
4. Obtain assessments and quotations for restoration and improvements.
5. Identify a suitable booking and access system.
6. Secure funding, permissions and appropriate insurance.
7. Complete the restoration and open the courts for community and school use.
8. Develop coaching and equipment provision as a future phase.

5. What is your anticipated start date and end date?

Timescales will depend on securing an appropriate agreement for the courts, confirming governance arrangements, obtaining quotations and permissions, and securing funding. We aim to progress development and funding as soon as possible, with restoration beginning once the necessary arrangements are in place. Opening dates will be confirmed once costs, permissions and funding are established